Posted By Amanda Collins on September 27, 2010

If your résumé is doing its job, and you’re using it in conjunction with social media and networking activities, the likelihood is that you’ll be offered a few interviewing opportunities. If you find that you get a lot of interviews but no offers, there might be something going awry in the one-on-one. Perhaps you’ve forgotten to apply to basic principles of manners once you enter the interview room. Here are some areas you might want to brush up on before you’re called for your next opportunity.

Arrive early.
First impressions count. If you are strolling in 5-10 minutes following your scheduled interview time, it definitely doesn’t leave a good impression. If the company has stacked appointments, it may also cost you your slotted time—and the job. Plan to arrive about 10 minutes early, and be sure to bring along a list of references, a copy of your résumé on good-quality paper, and your smart phone for any information you might need for employment applications.

Show interest.
An interview is a test of who you are as a person. If you don’t appear engaged in the process by having good eye contact and asking questions, it may come across as a lack of interest. According to some statistics, communication is 38% tone, 55% visual cues, and only 7% words. So be sure that what you say matters but what you do and how you say it are just as relevant.

Listen.
I can’t tell you how many times when I was growing up that my mother used to get on me because I was thinking about what I was going to say next in the conversation rather than listening to what the other person was saying. In an interview, listening can be even more challenging because the situation is often nerve-wracking and can cause you to second-guess what the next question will be.

Say thank you.
It seems like such a simple suggestion, but so many people forget to “close” the interview. In addition to saying thank you as you’re leaving the interview room, be sure to follow up with a note. I suggest a handwritten card because it makes a huge difference.

Category: Job Search
Tags: interviewing